Say it ain't so...

We've packed a lot in this summer.  And for that I am so thankful!  Not to mention I am walking, able, and wait for it...got back on water skis again for the first time in a couple of summers.  If someone would have told me last year that I would be able to ski in a year I wouldn't have believed them.  It did take 3 tries to get up but this body isn't quite as young as it used to be.  Not to say that by this time next year I won't have completed my first triathlon.  Here's hoping!

Jacob also had a go at water skiing!  He did awesome - he didn't want to keep trying but it was a good effort.  I bet my next summer he will want to have another go.

Anyway, I'm sad to say we had our last summer getaway last weekend.  (Unless we sneak one last one in before school starts! ;) We had a blast at Sarah and Mike's.  The weather was crazy hot and humid...just the way I like it for swimming and boating.  The last few days have been rainy and cold, and a very real reminder of what is to come.  It's not over yet though.  Here are a few pics from the weekend.

These two got stung by bees.  Notice Lydia is tough and proud, Nathan on the other hand was very concerned about the hold in his arm.  ;)  

Jacob's #1 fan. 

Looking good in Grandma's lipstick.  

This is the life.  

These kiddos spent a lot of time in the water!  

So did these kiddos.  

Yippeee!!!

Lunch at Zorbaz

These two had a little work to do with Mike.

Loaders?  I'm in.  

Post lunch afternoon nap.  

Hot day, hot tub.  

4 years old...

June 7 marks Nathan's birthday.  We had a houseful, taco bar, and Batman ice cream cake from DQ.  It's good to be 4!

Up north

I haven't really made the blog a priority these days.   Maybe I will carve out some time to get better at updating.  In the meantime, here are pics from our second trip up north this summer.  First to Bemidji and made a day trip to the Mississippi headwaters and then stopped at Sarah and Mike's over the 4th of July for a late birthday celebration for Mike and Lydia!

This is right before someone up on the bridge told us there was a snake.  Mom saw it too.  

Lydia turns 3!

Birthday kids.  

Waiting for the parade.  

From the Mississippi headwaters.  My favorite pic.  

Oh, Mexico

The view never got old.  

Our beachside dinner.  

Scott was out running and I was getting drinks delivered to me on a surfboard...priorities.  

I completely forgot to upload the post from our trip to Mexico last spring.  We stayed for a long weekend Le Blanc Resort and Spa.  We ate delicious food, relaxed, read, went to the spa, did yoga, swam, and pretty much just enjoyed being warm after a long cold Minnesota winter.  I can't wait to go back.  

Hidden Haven 2015

Our 4th return visit to Hidden Haven didn't disappoint.  We had great weather for swimming and boating, a cabin with A/C which made for great sleeping, and the entire week was spent doing nothing but enjoying our family and the outdoors.  As far as fishing goes, we still have yet to "figure out" the lake.  I went off the grid and "unplugged" for the week.  No computer, no Facebook, no Instagram.  It was so great.  Furthermore, our family decided to have a screen free week.  The boys watched cartoons when they woke up early in the morning, but that was it.  Needless to say they didn't miss a beat and enjoyed every bit of being present in their surroundings.  Aunt Becca found the medallion in the scavenger hunt.  We missed out on ice cream and game day because it was a bit rainy and we went into town for a movie, but we'll sure to catch it next time.

We generally head to this resort every other year, but I wouldn't mind heading back every July!

Luther spent most of his days napping and snuggling with Grandma.  

A great day on the lake.  

The other half of the crew.  

Go fast!  

This is Wyatt's say cheese face.  

Give him a tractor, dirt and some shade and he's good to go.  

And only one girl...

Notice my child sticking out his tongue.  Nice.  

Everyone was talking about my white pants.  

This kid makes angels...snow, gravel or sand doesn't matter to him.  

This was a another fun day.  The outlaws escaped to the middle of the lake.  

Paddleboarding.  Just kidding.  These are kayaks.  Just checking to see if you read the captions.  

The melty beads were a good activity for downtime.  

Conrad sans dinosaur, with Noah.

Not a keeper.  

He had fun catching this one.  

Perfect.  

Campfire donuts are always a hit.  

Really, really, good.